Chapter 141

Chapter 220: The Chance Encounter

Waking up early at dawn, despite the kind counsels of the Guptas, Lord Arnav insisted that he go to the Industry and carry about his day like every other day of his life.

Master Happy hitched a carriage for him and had Ram installed as the carter.

Declining earnestly the inconceivable offer of carrying a lunch basket, Lord Arnav sat in the carriage and the boy rode him to the Industry.

Kushi wakened after his departure, of course, just in time for breakfast, and was extremely annoyed when she learnt that he had gone to the Industry instead of respecting the Village week and spending the time at the Cottage.

After breakfasting with her family, she said that she wanted to go for a stroll through the village and Garima reminded her to be back in time for lunch.

Just between us the truth be not cloaked that the village stroll was merely an excuse.

Lady Kushi, donned in her ladylike hat, was not going on a stroll but on a secret inspection of the village gardens to find out firsthand from every house and cottage how far Lady Anjali's pomegranate surprise' was progressing.

When she returned at noon, Kushi's face was lit with delight, which we know to have occurred in the light of the successful development of her little surprise. In fact, she was so ecstatic that not even the sight of the storm clouds gathering fast across the afternoon sky could dampen her spirits.

Master Shashi Gupta looked up at the sky.

It was high noon but the sky seemed disconsolate, predicting storm.

He returned his attention back to the dirt road along which he was riding his cart.

Having gone to the Market to get some things, he was returning back to the Cottage for lunch.

A slight smile appeared on his face when it crossed his mind that he was going home to not just his sister and wife but to his youngest daughter as well.

Ah, what a delight it was to have her in the house again. Life felt young and happy.

He was just turning the bend on the road heading for the Village when his eyes fell on something in the distance, by the bank of the river.

At first, he thought it was someone come to let their horse have a drink but at a closer look he realized it was none other than General Jha, the husband of Lady Anjali.

Master Shashi pulled at the reins and, changing course, directed his horse cart in the direction of the riverside.

No sooner had the sound of approaching wheels alerted him that General Jha, who had been standing beside Lightning watching her drink from the river, looked over his shoulder and caught sight of Master Gupta in his cart.

At first, General Jha was wary but when Master Gupta lifted a hand in greeting, the General's face broke into a warm grin and he waved back.

"What brings you here, good General?" Master Shashi called out as his horse cart came to a stop near the bank.

The General nodded to his horse, "I was taking Lightning here for a canter so she could exercise her limbs."

Master Shashi had dismounted from his cart and was walking towards the General, "I am sorry about your horse. I learnt of her injury when I met the herbalist last week."

Master Shashi had reached the horse and its Master and as the latter watched, the old man bend down and inspected the horse's wounded leg, looking green with the paste of herbs splattered on it.

"How much longer do you suppose she'll need that?" Master Shashi asked, pointing to the green paste.

The General shrugged, "She'll have to be administered the herbs until the leg's completely healed."

Master Shashi's hand reached out to touch the wounded leg but, with an annoyed grunt, the horse stepped away from his reach.

The General chuckled, "Worry not, Master Gupta. She hates the paste as much as she hates people touching her leg. She won't even let my wife touch her."

"It must hurt," reasoned Master Shashi, looking up at the General.

The General nodded distractedly, "In the beginning she used to whimper a lot when I applied the herbs on the cut."

They were silent, having nothing to say in particular, and simply watched the mare as she drank from the river.

Finally, discomforted with the muteness, the General looked up, "Where are you coming from, Master Gupta?"

"The Market," Master Shashi replied casually, "I had to buy a few things and sell some too."

"Sell?" the General looked up, "What do you sell?"

"Swords," Master Shashi nodded.

The General was confused, "Isn't that your sister's-?"

"I'm in it too, presently," Master Shashi added, "Now that I don't have the mill..."

There was a sadness in his tone and the General nodded sympathetically.

"Say," Master Shashi looked up earnestly, "Do you perchance want a supply of swords for your battalion?"

The General smiled, "No, I-" He paused. He hadn't said it to anyone except his wife. But since he was past the hurt now...

"I won't be going to battle anymore. At least not until Lightning's restored."

"Oh," Master Shashi nodded thoughtfully, "That is sad."

The General nodded, "Sad but indispensable. I won't go to battle without Lightning."

"That is really caring of you, General," Master Shashi smiled, his eyes on the horse.

Again, an awkward pause fell and the men simply stood waiting for something to be said.

"So you won't need swords any more..." Master Shashi repeated, as though he was noting it down, "I was hoping I could visit the encampment of your battalion with the excuse of sword supply. I've never seen a battle camp before..."

The General looked at Master Shashi from the corner of his eyes.

The old man was watching the horse, which was now grazing the fresh grass near the bank.

He doesn't remember, the General established. Of course he won't remember.

"It's sad you missed your chance at seeing a camp," said the General with a smile, "Hopefully when Lightning's mended and up for rides again, I could take you for a visit."

"That would be good," Master Shashi nodded.

Overhead, thunder rolled and both men looked up.

"Storm's coming," the General said, "How quickly the weather changes in this land."

"Aye, very true," Master Shashi nodded, turning to the cart, "I better get home before it starts pouring. Don't want to catch cold especially with my daughter and her husband home."

The General flinched as though he was pricked but he kept his features composed when he looked at the elderly man who was mounting on the cart.

"Say, how is Master Menace taking to the Village life?"

"Master Menace?" Master Shashi looked at the General who was walking towards the cart.

"That's my nickname for the First Lord," the General explained.

"Master Menace, is it?" Master Shashi found it amusing, "I'd say, what a name!"

"Yes, what a name," the General mumbled, not in the amused tone that Master Shashi had used.

"How is he taking his stay?" asked the General again.

"Befittingly well, as far as I have seen," Master Shashi replied, "Though he was persistent about going to the Industry early morning on."

"I see," the General considered this, and then smiled at the elderly man, "But I am certain Miss Kushi is taking well to the return. She had missed her home dearly."

Master Shashi's smile alighted in his fatherly eyes.

"Give her my especial regards," conveyed the General.

Master Shashi nodded, "I most certainly will, good sir. She will want to know how Lady Anjali is doing,"

"My wife is well, thank you," the General nodded, "Only missing her brother."

"When is she due?"

"A month from now."

"We are all waiting for the child to come," Master Shashi said sanguinely as he picked up the reins.

"So is everyone in the Castle," mumbled the General, and then he looked over his shoulder at his horse, "Make haste, Lightning, for we best be on our way before the rain hits."

The horse lifted its head and trotted slowly towards where the General stood beside the cart.

The General turned to Master Shashi, "It was pleasant acquainting with you, Master Gupta."

"You too, General," Master Shashi nodded.

Master Shashi was about to give his horse the order when the General cleared his throat, "Could you do something for me?"

Master Shashi looked down at the young man, "What is it, General?"

"Could you give Master Menace a message from me?"

The elderly man affirmed, "Why, certainly!"

"Tell him," the General began, a keen light appearing in his eyes, "Tell him that the moon is not all white."

"The-?" Master Shashi was surprised, "The moon is not all white...? What does it mean?"

A strange glint shone in the General's eyes for a fraction of a second but it was gone as quickly as it had come.

"He'll know," the General said adeptly.

Master Shashi watched the man's face for a moment, how the wind danced with his hair that had fallen over his forehead and how his shoulders stood strong and determined. He admired the young soldier but he was also unsure about him. There was something that seemed to be missing, something that had capered and was not making sense to him...

Master Gupta smiled feebly and with a parting nod, picked up the reins and drove the cart towards the village, as the General stood watching the cart fade into the distance and sky thundered ominously above.

P.S. Moon, I swear I am telling the truth: I did not know that the word moon' would appear in the chapter. It is mere coincidence that this next chapter waiting to be updated, and the date that was available for me to do so was on your birthday.. I am still marveling at its occurrence!

P. P. S. I will PM at the end of this night's narration which will take five to six more chapters. The date for the next update will be provided in the Index.